WA84

National Minimum Wage to rise again

The National Minimum Wage will rise by 17 pence an hour in October, the Department of Trade and Industry has confirmed.

Following recommendations made by the Low Pay Commission, the main adult minimum wage rate will increase from £5.35 an hour to £5.52 an hour from October 2007.

The rate for 18-21 year olds will also rise, from £4.45 to £4.60; and the rate for 16-17 year olds will increase from £3.30 to £3.40 an hour.

Since its introduction in 1999, the minimum wage has risen by almost 30% more than inflation.

The Government expects the changes to benefit more than a million workers, although some business groups have reiterated their concern over the potential impact of the increases on employment prospects.

The news follows the recent introduction of tougher penalties for those employers who fail to pay the minimum rates to their workers.

Further information on the National Minimum Wage can be found on the Low Pay Commission website www.lowpay.gov.uk

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